Stories from Tuesday, May 26, 2020

When it comes to treatments and lifesaving cures, the U.S. healthcare system is second to none. This is why, when a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, or a parent is told her child has diabetes, we can bear such unsettling news with a sense of hope...

Additional reopenings throughout the state began last week continue this week after a new proclamation from Gov. Reynolds. Starting May 22, movie theaters, zoos, aquariums, and museums were allowed to reopen, as long as they can accommodate reasonable public health measures. Pools will only be allowed to reopen for lap swimming and swimming lessons...

If you watch the news or look at social media each day, it can get pretty daunting. It can be a heavy weight. While some choose to focus on the negative impacts of COVID-19, many of the positive trends are largely being ignored. When looking at the unprecedented amount of data and information that the state is providing to Iowans, it is important to remember to not to look at one single day to measure the impact that COVID-19 has had. ...

Maintenance continues on several segments of the trail system in Okoboji, Spirit Lake and Orleans. In mid-May, new asphalt overlays were completed on the Nature Center Trail and the Spine Trail by Kiwanis Park. The asphalt crew will return at the beginning of June to continue paving the Spine Trail from 15th Street to Hill Avenue in Spirit Lake and along the east side of Big Spirit Lake in Orleans. ...

Folks, I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed that there are still people out there who are shocked and sometimes offended when asked to pay for their local news. Hopefully that sentiment is the exception rather than the rule in our community – in fact we've seen an increase in subscriptions, and we've actually received a handful of donations, so thank you — but somehow the problem persists. ...

I'm familiar with a regional lawmaker who recently concluded an update to constituents with the following: "The media and many others continue to criticize the governor and the response taken by the state of Iowa," the update said. "The facts tell a story that Iowa is on the way to recovery."...

There is no question the COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on Iowans. Most have been doing their part to slow the spread of the disease, whether that means staying home or stepping up. Iowa’s ethanol producers like Green Plains are no exception. When conventional supplies ran low, we donated ethanol for hand sanitizer production in Iowa and Nebraska...

We had another very successful Red Cross Blood Drive in Spirit Lake where we had registered 52 donors, received 45 units of blood (which was our goal), had eight donors of power red blood with only three deferrals. Due to this recent COVID-19 pandemic, the protocol for donating blood changed. ...

LifeServe would like to thank those you came out on May 13 to give the gift of life during this time. Being in a middle of a global pandemic, Spirit Lake individuals knew how important it was to donate when you are well and healthy. Spirit Lake Community registered 47 donors, collected 53 lifesaving products, had three first time donors and saved over 159 lives! Once again, thank you. ...

Nov. 18, 1928 — May 20, 2020 Annette Fairchild, 91, of Spirit Lake passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at her home in Spirit Lake. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Burial will be held on the Lakeview Gardens Cemetery on Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com...

Dec. 21, 1929 — May 17, 2020 A funeral service for Eunice Finnern of Spirit Lake, was held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2020, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Burial was at Sioux Valley Township Cemetery. Eunice Maxine Finnern was born Dec. ...

Nov. 9, 1923 — May 20, 2020 A private family service was held for Henry Hanby, age 96, of Spirit Lake. Burial was at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery. Wellington Henry Hanby, the son of W. Howard and Elva (Blew) Hanby was born Nov. 9, 1923, in Estherville. Henry lived on a small farm east of Spirit Lake and graduated from Spirit Lake High School...

May 31, 1942 — May 13, 2020 Linda Lee Flewelling, 77, of Spirit Lake and formerly of rural Cherokee passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at her home in rural Spirit Lake after courageously battling a long illness. Private graveside services will be held at the Pilot Township Cemetery, rural Cherokee. Pastor Dave Simonsen will officiate. Visitation will be 1-7 p.m. Thursday, May 28, at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences may be left at boothbyfuneral.com...

July 10, 1934 — May 17, 2020 Max E. Wells, 85 of Hereford, Texas passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2020, in Hereford. Funeral Service will be Thursday, May 21, 2020 for immediate family only, at 2 p.m. at Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. ...

Sept. 3 1919 — May 22, 2020 A funeral service for Sylva Wallace, age 100 of Milford, was held Wednesday, May 27, 2020, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Burial was at Milford Cemetery. Sylva Ellene Wallace, daughter of Lillian (Clark) and Martin (Bill) Wallace, was born on Sept. ...

Aug. 14, 1924 — May 19, 2020 Warren "Van" Vanden Brink, of Sheldon, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley. He was 95 years old. Warren, the son of Art and Ella (Jantzen) Vanden Brink, was born on Aug. 14, 1924, in Hull and attended school in Boyden. He graduated from Boyden High School and went on to attend Mankato Business College in Mankato, Minnesota...

The Iowa Lakes Board of Trustees approved tuition and fees for the 2020-2021 school year during their regularly scheduled May meeting. The Trustees approved to set in-state tuition at $188 per credit hour; Minnesota residents will pay $193 per credit hour. Non-residents and international students will pay $199 per credit hour...

While it is normally destined to be a year of "lasts," for the Spirit Lake graduating class of 2020 it has been a year of "firsts" — first school closing, first spring sports or music season with no competitions, first cancellation of prom, Awards Night will be — for the first time — a recorded ceremony, and graduation is moved to June outside, again a first, at the football complex...

The Spirit Lake Public Library will reopen on Monday, June 1 — we miss our people! The library will be open from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Mondays & Wednesdays as well as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. There will be some restrictions in place and patrons are strongly encouraged to wear masks. Patrons will be able to come in and browse for materials, use a computer or the wifi, and the copying, printing, and faxing services will be available. Our very popular curbside pickup will continue...

Shawn Emmet Doyle, age 49, was booked into the Dickinson County Jail at 10:41 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, on charges of operating while intoxicated — third offense. Matthew Krogman-Meyer, age 29, of Spirit Lake was charged with third-degree harassment at 9:05 p.m. Friday, May 22, in the 500 block of 15th Street in Spirit Lake...

Wednesday, May, 20, the Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday received word that a tagged walleye was caught and turned in. The tag was confirmed, but unfortunately, he wasn’t registered in the extended contest. So the $2,200 check is still available to the next tagged fish caught. (Photo submitted)...

The Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association on Thursday announced plans to reopen the new Iowa Rock 'n Roll Museum in Historic Arnolds Park. The public will be admitted to the museum starting Saturday, June 6. "After the governor's announcement earlier this week that museums could open again, we worked in close coordination with the other Arnolds Park museums and the welcome center, as we are adjacent to each other," IRRMA Director Clay Norris said. ...

The Okoboji Foundation Disaster Recovery Fund has announced a second round of grants to meet the needs of area organizations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants totaled $8,500 and went to a pair of nonprofit organizations in the Iowa Great Lakes. In total, $32,144 has been granted in total from Disaster Recovery Fund. These organizations are actively helping our community during this pandemic...

Arnolds Park Amusement Park on Thursday announced its decision to cancel June "Live at the Lakes" concerts on Preservation Plaza and the June shows in The Roof Garden Ballroom.    The free Live at the Lake concert series was scheduled to start on Saturday June 6...

Congressman Steve King admits that recent poll results are "quite scary," saying they show him in a virtual tie with primary opponent Randy Feenstra. "We are now in a dead heat, and the election is just one week away," King said. "This is the greatest challenge of my political life, plain and simple. Big government cronies have funneled loads of cash into my opponent's campaign because they know he will support their anti-constitutional agenda," King said in a message to supporters...

The All-Academic Team is a feature in the Dickinson County News to showcase those students who have worked hard in the classroom over the past four years. To begin the selection process, the DCN works with each area high school, and the principal or guidance counselor nominates two students based on academic performance and grade point average. ...

The All-Academic Team is a feature in the Dickinson County News to showcase those students who have worked hard in the classroom over the past four years. To begin the selection process, the DCN works with each area high school, and the principal or guidance counselor nominates two students based on academic performance and grade point average. ...

The All-Academic Team is a feature in the Dickinson County News to showcase those students who have worked hard in the classroom over the past four years. To begin the selection process, the DCN works with each area high school, and the principal or guidance counselor nominates two students based on academic performance and grade point average. ...

The All-Academic Team is a feature in the Dickinson County News to showcase those students who have worked hard in the classroom over the past four years. To begin the selection process, the DCN works with each area high school, and the principal or guidance counselor nominates two students based on academic performance and grade point average. ...

Local health officials are saying the confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Dickinson County aren't quite as high as they seem. The county's eighth confirmed case, which was reported by the Iowa Department of Public Health on Saturday, was logged incorrectly. ...

Current District 5 Supervisor Pam Jordan's decision to not seek reelection has set up a GOP primary contest to see who faces presumptive Democratic nominee Angela Kofoot in November's general election. Republican candidates Janis Bowles and Jeff Thee are seeking the GOP nomination to serve on the board...

Four Democrats are seeking the party nomination to face incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst. The contested candidates responded to a series of questions ahead of the upcoming June 2 primary election in Iowa. Questions include the three biggest issues facing the country, the president handling of COVID-19, America's relationships across the globe and what should be done to address challenges, how should Congress best assist the country in emerging from the current condition created by COVID-19, plus several others.. ...

The Sioux County Attorney's Office reviewed investigative reports and thinks Gregg Eugene Winterfeld should face a first-degree murder charge in the death of Grant Wayne Wilson of Cleghorn. The 70-year-old Spirit Lake man originally faced a Class B felony charge of second-degree murder. County attorney Thomas Kunstle told the court he thinks Winterfeld had enough malice and premeditation to warrant a Class A first-degree murder charge...

On Monday, May 18, my wife, Connie and I went to the Walmart at Spirit Lake. Connie went into the store and I stayed in the van. It was 11:15 a.m. There was only one entrance open (west doors). The entrance is fenced off so one has to navigate that passage to enter the store. ...